The OBL has established a partnership with OFIC, a leader in scholarship administration, to help Ohio banks build better communities through scholarships. This concept will multiply their investment in higher education to have a stronger, more lasting local impact that helps create a pipeline of talent across Ohio.

The three-year OBL scholarship program investment of $300,000 establishes an endowment and provides current scholarships at OFIC member universities. It allows Ohio banks to help make higher education more affordable for students, while increasing awareness of careers in the banking industry. This connectivity could provide them with summer internship opportunities and potentially careers at an Ohio bank. More importantly, this program helps shape the future of the banking industry through the permanent endowment.

OBL chose to partner with OFIC to help create real change in Ohio’s local communities. “Banks, like many other industries, are struggling with an aging employee base and we knew we needed to do something significant to address this issue, said Ohio Bankers League CEO, Mike Adelman. “OFIC’s exclusive partnership with Ohio independent universities, many of which are in the smaller towns of Ohio where OBL member banks are located, means our investment is having a true local impact.”

“Ohio independent universities continually work hard to improve the state’s college-educated workforce and with funds from our donors, such as this scholarship program, we are supporting their efforts,” explained OFIC President, Bill Spiker. “With an average of over 60% of our graduates staying in Ohio to enter the job market, this program is a great way to demonstrate that banks in their hometowns are a great choice to begin their careers.”

The Ohio Bankers League is the trade association for the Ohio banking industry – and is Ohio’s only organization focused on meeting the needs of all banks and thrifts in the Buckeye State. For more than 125 years, the OBL has been the voice of the Ohio banking industry fostering a cooperation that has made it one of the strongest and most reputable financial trade associations in the country.

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges efficiently solicits financial support from corporations, foundations and other donors and distributes those funds to our member colleges and universities for educational programs, scholarships and collaborative efforts.